Blog

  1. Murder Hornets – 2020 Strikes Again

    Because 2020 wasn't bizarre and frightening enough, we needed a freakish insect to appear and gain notoriety, and for this insect to be dubbed by the media as the "Murder Hornet." Just in time for the resurgence of drive-in movies. Now showing at the late-night Halloween fright fest: "Attack of the Giant Murder Hornets!" starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Jokes aside, in an attempt to provide a few facts …Read More

  2. Do You Need a Pest Control Contract?

    Pest control has a long history, longer than you may realize. Ancient Sumerians are considered the first to use "chemical" pest control means, employing sulfur mixtures as insecticides. Shortly after, the first Sumerian Pest Control salesperson knocked on a door and mentioned they'd have some technicians in the neighborhood and if you just sign up here for a yearly pest service ... Ok, maybe not q…Read More

  3. What’s That Bug?

    Wondering what that bug is in your bathroom, living room, kitchen or patio? If you didn't already stomp it into the next dimension, we can help. We often get calls from Austin residents with vague descriptions of bugs. Some favorite terms used to describe them include "gross", "ewww" and "what-the-heck-is-this-thing??". And while interesting, none of those words or sounds help us identify the pest…Read More

  4. Are There Winter Bugs In Austin?

    If you're new to Austin (or even if you're not) you may be wondering what bugs are present during the "colder" months here. And while we introduced our "Austin Pest Guide" a couple weeks back to answer the question "What kind of bugs are there in Austin?", the next question we're tackling is: "When are the bugs most active in Austin?" Summer. Alright, thanks for reading... Ok, just kidding — mos…Read More

  5. Fire Ants Still?

    Even though temperatures are cooling, we're still getting quite a few calls for fire ants. Many people associate treating fire ants with summer activities and being outdoors, but fall is actually a great time to focus on fire ants. In fact, now is the ideal time because it will keep them in lower numbers over the winter and into spring, making it easier to handle them down the road. According to T…Read More

  6. What Kind of Bugs Live In Austin?

    Since 2010, Austin has been the fastest growing city in the United States, and is adding over 5,000 people per month on average including both births and migrations. An unofficial recent estimate puts the city population above 1,000,000 — the 11th U.S. city over one million. Before new residents arrive from out of town, they usually search for the best neighborhoods and schools. But what they pr…Read More

  7. Cooler Temps and Rodent Season

    Today is the first cold "snap" after a blisteringly hot August, which means Fall and Winter are around the corner. Those cooler temperatures also mean Austin's "rodent season" is around the corner. Rodents in Austin Rats, mice and other vermin often move indoors seeking a warmer place to winter as the temperatures drop. There are fewer food sources available outside so there is less reason for the…Read More

  8. Treating Honey Bees in Austin

    We often get calls about bees, particularly in the warm summer months. While some situations require intervention, we typically try to discourage a service call just for bees, and even some types of wasps, unless there is a significant safety concern (most bees and flying insects are not aggressive and won't attack unless provoked). One recent customer had a nest being built under an outdoor patio…Read More

  9. Crazy Ants

    The crazy ant, particularly the tawny or "Rasberry" crazy ant, is one of a growing number of pests in the Central Texas and Austin area. The name Rasberry came from the name of an exterminator who noticed their increasing numbers around the Houston area in 2002. Since then, the tawny crazy ant has spread throughout the Gulf Coast region and has been confirmed in dozens of Texas counties including:…Read More

  10. Small Black Ants

    Is your kitchen or bathroom looking like a cartoon picnic scene with hundreds of tiny dark ants scurrying along cabinets, pantry shelves or sinks as they set up a buffet line to and from a source of food? You're not alone. Many Austin area residents have called in recently with complaints of these tiny but numerous invaders. Called little black ants or sometimes rover ants or sugar ants, these are…Read More